Not looking pretty for Landis.

The results of the B sample have come back as positive, and it looks like Floyd Landis is going to have a hard time proving his innocence now. The tests show signs of synthetic testosterone - which rules out the possibility of the testosterone being produced naturally by Floyd's body. Even so, Floyd flat out denies taking any testosterone, and is putting the high levels found in both the A and B samples down to "natural" causes. He also states that the possibility of whiskey and beer taken the night before his 17th stage comeback could have resulted in increased levels of testosterone. Also, the medication that he is taking for his hip disability may have something to do with the increased level. Nevertheless, this assumed that the testosterone may be elevated, but naturally so, as opposed to ingested - which the tests seem to indicate.

So where does that leave Landis? In a pretty tricky predicament I'd have to say. In his defence though, he did have 8 other tests conducted throughout the Tour, and all other tests remain negative. It is only the 17th stage win test that seems to incriminate him.

I still maintain that he'd be pretty stupid to take something, go out and win a stage like he did knowing full well that he'd be tested, and hope to get away with it.

According to Floyd's blog, he is encouraging supporters to "Keep the Faith".

You make up your own mind.

High performance driving experience

I had the opportunity this week, of doing a High Performance Driving course with Audi.

Actually, it was a customer function that we organised for some of our premier customers - and what better way to spend a Thursday afternoon, than driving around Kyalami race track, at speeds that are illegal anywhere else :-)

I was assigned to a driver and a silver Audi 3.0 TDI Quattro. It helped that my driver was a former driver of Formula Ford cars, and encouraged high speed above all else. Actually, it was quite unreal to see what these cars are capable of doing. There is nothing special about them - in that they have not been modified for racing. They are your standard commercial out the showroom spec A4's, and what beautiful cars they are.

We got to practice straight line braking, avoiding obstacles in the path whilst braking at high speed, cornering and acceleration. The highlight for me was definitely the 12 laps of high speed, controlled driving around the 4.7km odd kyalami track.

Definitely a course that I recommend doing if you get the opportunity. The course is run by a 4rings, based at Kyalami.

Baby Nicholas...

K's good friend, Tsvet, and her husband Graham started their family last week. Tsvet gave birth to Nicholas Graham Kort on Thursday morning.

We went to visit them on Thursday evening - everyone looking happy and healthy. Its amazing how factory-like maternity wards are these days...go in, have your baby at the scheduled time, spend two days in bed, visitors between 19:30 and 20:30, and out you get. Truly amazing stuff.

Now the fun begins Graham... :-)

30th Birthday...

As August rapidly approaches, I'm racking my brain to think of something to do for my 30th birthday. I guess the expectation is that it should be celebrated with some kind of bash, but the question is, what?

Richard's 30th comes up this week (3rd August), and he's planned a "Vegas" evening. Sounds good, and I look forward to pitching up, and cleaning up at the tables. At least that's the idea I have in my mind. Will have to wait and see - takes place this coming weekend.

Pat celebrated his in London, with the UK clan. Frank and the SA clan went out for Sushi. Hmm, and I'm out of ideas for mine.

Will have to give it some thought and planning over the next few weeks. Any ideas or suggestions, please leave a comment. I could use the help...

The first "gig"...

The concert was pretty good. There were about 7 or 8 levels of guitar players, from kids, beginners and intermediate, to advanced and classical. K went up in the first group of beginners (they split us into 2 groups, as there were about 15 of us). Her songs included Let it Be and Knocking on Heavens Door. My group went up second, and we did Stand By Me and Wonderful Tonight.
To be honest, I don't remember much about the actual playing - it was over in no time at all. Was really interesting to see the progression of skill from one course to the next, and encouraged us to seriously think about doing the next level. For me, the next level is a must - its a forced practice once a week.
The event took place at a pub called "Millhouse", up the road from Kyalami. Forgot the camera at home, so don't have any pictures, but Gillian (who also played in our group) took her camera, so will try and get some pics. Nothing glamorous...but proof of playing live nonetheless.

Landis guilty or not?

It came as quite a shock on Wednesday last week - listening to radio on the way home, news that Floyd Landis had been suspended by his team for failing a doping test. After supporting this guy for the past three weeks, you can imagine the disappointment I felt. I mean, what kind of fool takes performance enhancing substances, when he is the favourite to win the Tour de France. Given the recent events, and the scandal at the start of the Tour, you would have to be some kind of idiot to think that you could get away with something like this. The long and the short of it, is that nothing has been proven yet. There are two samples taken in the tests, and the first sample has shown signs of "elevated levels of testosterone". As the days have gone by, the allegations have dropped from "doping", to more like "cheating" - as there is no substance abuse involved from what I have been able to read. It is widely known that Floyd has a degrading hip, and has been on medication for some time now. Some even speculate that the rise is testosterone can be put down to natural reasons - especially given the physical changes that an athletes body goes through whilst riding a race like the Tour de France.
Nevertheless, there is a cloud hanging over the victory - and whether the rise on testosterone is put down to natural causes, or deliberate cheating - the Tour is once again tainted with controversy.
Check out this useful Tour blog for more detail.